Sigh. Luck has been on short order for me this yr. DET played a great 1[SUP]st[/SUP] half, but DAL had multiple opportunities to cover w/the biggest being the rookie DE getting fumble recovery in FG range, but fumbling it back to DET while trying to advance it thru traffic. Weekend could’ve been salvaged w/teaser looking great heading into PIT gm. BAL had a great game plan w/LeVeon out, but PIT also had multiple chances to get it within 10, including Brad Gradkowski coming in for Ben & getting PIT on BAL’s doorstep. Unfortunately, Ben came back in & promptly throws a pick in the endzone. Pain.
2014 Playoffs: POW 0-1, Teasers 0-1, Overall 1-2
DEN (-7) nearly gave away their 1[SUP]st[/SUP] tilt w/IND way back in Wk 1 after cruising to a 31-10 lead. In that gm Julius Thomas had 3 TDs. I expect a good gm from him again after having 2 wks to heal his ailing ankle, which has limited him all yr. FWIW Julius also had a good gm (2 TDs) off DEN’s bye vs a stiff ARI “D”. IND’s LB’s will have difficulty in that matchup. Peyton having an extra wk of rest & preparation is huge as well. He has not been the same the final month of the yr, although honestly he had a real bad rd gm @ CIN & prob was disinterested in finale vs OAK. The true difference maker will be CJ Anderson. I think DEN’s oline can have some success vs IND’s undersized dline, combined w/Peyton’s play-action. Vontae Davis has done exceptional as a cover corner, but Peyton uses Demaryius’ size like no other QB, & Sanders to me is Peyton’s best weapon in the secondary anyway. A lot is said about Peyton’s numbers in cold weather, but Luck is just as bad. I foresee an INT or 2 for him, & w/Trent Richardson likely getting more touches this gm after being sick vs CIN, he may cough it up too. IND will not be able to overcome TOs, IMO. Return of LB Brandon Marshall is big for DEN.
IND 23
DEN 33
3 Units
Honorable Mentions:
1 Unit CAR/SEA Under 39 1/2: Scam Newton is a bad QB, & he gets even worse in PO’s. Now this will be his 1[SUP]st[/SUP] rd PO gm in the loudest stadium in the NFL. I’m looking @ 27-3 type score as Stewart, who has been carrying the “O”, will get shut down here.
1 Unit BAL +7 @ -120: Indeed a lot is being made out of BAL’s success vs NE & that may play a factor here in motivation for the Pats. But BAL DC Dean Pees, a Belicheat disciple, has got Brady’s number. Suggs return last wk was evident to anyone watching the gm. As much as I dislike Flacco as a QB, his numbers are terrific in January. This was the one & only opponent NE did not want to see.
1 Unit Wormy Teaser:
BAL +20
SEA + 1/2
CAR/SEA Under 52 1/2
GB +7 1/2
GL to all & comments are most welcome.
2014 Playoffs: POW 0-1, Teasers 0-1, Overall 1-2
DEN (-7) nearly gave away their 1[SUP]st[/SUP] tilt w/IND way back in Wk 1 after cruising to a 31-10 lead. In that gm Julius Thomas had 3 TDs. I expect a good gm from him again after having 2 wks to heal his ailing ankle, which has limited him all yr. FWIW Julius also had a good gm (2 TDs) off DEN’s bye vs a stiff ARI “D”. IND’s LB’s will have difficulty in that matchup. Peyton having an extra wk of rest & preparation is huge as well. He has not been the same the final month of the yr, although honestly he had a real bad rd gm @ CIN & prob was disinterested in finale vs OAK. The true difference maker will be CJ Anderson. I think DEN’s oline can have some success vs IND’s undersized dline, combined w/Peyton’s play-action. Vontae Davis has done exceptional as a cover corner, but Peyton uses Demaryius’ size like no other QB, & Sanders to me is Peyton’s best weapon in the secondary anyway. A lot is said about Peyton’s numbers in cold weather, but Luck is just as bad. I foresee an INT or 2 for him, & w/Trent Richardson likely getting more touches this gm after being sick vs CIN, he may cough it up too. IND will not be able to overcome TOs, IMO. Return of LB Brandon Marshall is big for DEN.
IND 23
DEN 33
3 Units
Honorable Mentions:
1 Unit CAR/SEA Under 39 1/2: Scam Newton is a bad QB, & he gets even worse in PO’s. Now this will be his 1[SUP]st[/SUP] rd PO gm in the loudest stadium in the NFL. I’m looking @ 27-3 type score as Stewart, who has been carrying the “O”, will get shut down here.
1 Unit BAL +7 @ -120: Indeed a lot is being made out of BAL’s success vs NE & that may play a factor here in motivation for the Pats. But BAL DC Dean Pees, a Belicheat disciple, has got Brady’s number. Suggs return last wk was evident to anyone watching the gm. As much as I dislike Flacco as a QB, his numbers are terrific in January. This was the one & only opponent NE did not want to see.
1 Unit Wormy Teaser:
BAL +20
SEA + 1/2
CAR/SEA Under 52 1/2
GB +7 1/2
GL to all & comments are most welcome.
